🧭 Part 6 – How to Begin Reading the Bible

Practical steps for entering the Word of God

The Bible is not just for scholars or clergy — it is for all the faithful. Every Christian is called to hear, receive, and respond to the Word of God. But many people wonder: Where do I start? Which translation should I use? How do I make sense of what I’m reading?

This part offers simple, helpful ways to begin reading the Bible — not as a burden, but as a joy.

📍 Where Should I Begin?

Start with what is central: the Gospels, where Christ speaks and acts. Many readers begin with:

  • The Gospel of Matthew (rich and full)
  • The Gospel of Mark (short and direct)
  • The Gospel of Luke (rich in parables and prayer)
  • The Gospel of John (more meditative and theological)

Then add:

  • The Psalms — the Church’s prayer book
  • The Acts of the Apostles — the story of the early Church
  • A short epistle, such as Philippians or James

Avoid beginning with difficult or obscure books. Let your first encounters be personal and prayerful.

🕊️ Read with the Church

The Bible is not a private book. It was written in the Church, preserved by the Church, and is best understood within the Church.

You can:

  • Listen attentively at Vespers, Matins, the Hours and the Divine Liturgy, where Scripture is read aloud and interpreted
  • Follow the lectionary, which gives daily or weekly readings
  • Join a Bible study group or class at your parish
  • Ask your priest or deacon for a study Bible or reading guide

📘 Choosing a Translation

Use a Bible that is faithful, readable, and liturgically appropriate.

Recommended translations include:

Modern Language Translations

  • Revised Standard Version – Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE)
    A beloved and balanced translation, the RSV-2CE maintains dignified English while using clear, accessible language. It is closely based on the traditional RSV, with revisions to conform to Catholic usage (including restored "sacred" vocabulary). It includes the full canon of Scripture and is widely used in Catholic study materials, as well as liturgical texts in the Ordinariate.
    🟢 Old Testament Base: Primarily Masoretic with Septuagint comparisons
    🟢 New Testament Base: Revised from the 1946 RSV NT (originally based on Nestle-Aland 17/21)
    🟢 Style: Formal equivalence (word-for-word), clear, literary
    Read RSV-CE at BibleGateway (this is the first edition with traditional language, the second edition is not available online)
  • Orthodox Study Bible (OSB)
    This edition features the Old Testament translated from the Septuagint, which is the version traditionally used by the Eastern Churches. The New Testament is based on the New King James Version (NKJV), which reflects the Byzantine text-type through the Textus Receptus. It is currently the most accessible English Bible aligned with Eastern / Byzantine Christian tradition. Includes commentary and liturgical notes.
    🟢 Old Testament Base: Septuagint (Rahlfs)
    🟢 New Testament Base: Textus Receptus (via NKJV) with updates to the Received Greek New Testament
    🟢 Style: Moderately traditional language, devotional tone
    Order the OSB at Ancient Faith Store
  • New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
    This is the official English translation for the United States published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It features modern language and includes extensive notes for historical and theological context. While the translation is readable and academically grounded, some may find the style less poetic. Some Eastern Catholics also use this or an earlier version of this Bible in thier lectionary. 
    🟢 Old Testament Base: Masoretic Text with some Septuagint influence
    🟢 New Testament Base: Nestle-Aland (critical Greek text, Alexandrian type)
    🟢 Style: Dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought), scholarly, pastoral
    Read NABRE at USCCB
  • English Standard Version – Catholic Edition (ESV-CE)
    A recent Catholic adaptation of the ESV, known for its elegant, modern prose and clarity. This version includes the full Catholic canon, though the Old Testament is translated from the Masoretic Text. The New Testament closely follows the Nestle-Aland 27th edition. It is growing in popularity for Bible study and personal devotion.
    🟢 Old Testament Base: Masoretic Text with some Septuagint influence where necessary
    🟢 New Testament Base: Nestle-Aland 27 (via RSV & ESV revisions)
    🟢 Style: Formal equivalence, smooth and precise English
    Read ESV at esv.org (Catholic edition not available online)

Traditional or “Elevated” English Translations

  • Douay-Rheims Bible
    The traditional English Catholic Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate. Its language is stately, poetic, and rooted in the same Elizabethan English style as the King James Version. It remains a favorite for those who love traditional forms of prayer and older liturgical expressions.
    🟢 Old Testament Base: Latin Vulgate (derived from LXX and early Hebrew texts)
    🟢 New Testament Base: Latin Vulgate (informed by older Greek manuscripts)
    🟢 Style: Elevated, reverent, literary
    Read Douay-Rheims at DRBO.org
  • Brenton’s Septuagint (Old Testament only)
    This is the classic 19th-century English translation of the Greek Septuagint. It’s especially valued by those who want to study the Old Testament as it was received by the early Church and quoted in the New Testament. While the English is dated, it remains useful for comparison and deeper study.
    🟢 Old Testament Base: Septuagint
    🟢 New Testament: Not included
    🟢 Style: 19th-century formal English, academic tone
    Read Brenton's LXX at Elpenor

The best Bible is the one you will read — with reverence and regularity.

🙏 How to Read Prayerfully

Before you begin, say a short prayer:

“O Lord, open the eyes of my heart, that I may behold wondrous things from Your Word.”

Read slowly. Listen. Reflect. Ask questions. Let the words sink in. You don’t need to rush — you are not reading for information alone, but for communion.

The Church also recommends the ancient practice of Lectio Divina:

  1. Read – a short passage slowly and carefully
  2. Meditate – what stands out or speaks to you
  3. Pray – respond to God in your own words
  4. Contemplate – rest in God’s presence and peace

🔗 Resources and Next Steps

✨ Final Thought

Reading the Bible is not an academic exercise. It is a sacred conversation with God. Let Scripture become part of your day — not as a task, but as a companion.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”
— Psalm 119:105